Oregon’s Largest Selection Of Wine
S NDANCE
World’s Largest Selection of Oregon Pinot Noir
Nicolas Feuillatte
Brut Champagne
“Rich and creamy – citrusy acidity provides
an elegance to this refined Champagne.”
92pts. Wine Spectator
$29.95
Nicolas Feuillatte
Brut Rosé Champagne
“Elegant, with a silky texture & lingering
aftertaste of dried berry & spice.”
92pts. Wine Spectator
Reg. $58.95 , NOW
$29.95
Free Tastings 5 to 7 pm
Fridays:Mario’s picks!
Saturdays:Wineries!
12/07 Wines from Portugal
12/08 Kopke Ports
12/14 Wines from Italy
12/15 Feuillatte & other sparklings
12/21 Wines from Oregon
12/22 Palm Bay, Importer
12/28 Sparkling Wines
12/29 Sparkling Wines
2441 Hilyard Street
www.orwines.com
541.687.9463
Open daily until 7pm
Local merchants, the heart of our community
December Food Drive
For the month of December any individual or business who donates three or more cans of food at
the Ninkasi Tasting Room (272 Van Buren in Eugene) will not only receive a sassy Ninkasi Holiday
Ornament, but will also have their name featured on a keg sleeve that will go on the Ninkasi Tasting
Room Holiday tree! Perpeutate Better Living and help us give the gift of nourishment with the help
of our friends at FOOD For Lane County.
Seasons Greetings and Cheers,
from your friends at
Ninkasi Brewing Company
NINKASIBREWING.COM • EUGENE, OREGON
34
December 6, 2012 • eugeneweekly.com
BY L A NCE S PA RKS
THE GIFT OF WINE
w ne cellars
Reg. $45.95 , NOW
W IN E
Memories are made of this
E
lection’s over and Santa sent Artie back to Cave Junction with a lump of coal,
also Gov. Poopiehead back to Ogden or wherever, so we’re ready to red-line the
jolly-meter, even if it’s mostly pretend (the Refumblicans are still dangling
America’s economy over the fiscal cliff). Folks who know me are aware that
this time of year I morph into sap mode; I get giddy with giving gifts.
This year, we decided to crack the problem of gifting wine. Here’s the kernel
inside the shell of this nut: Most of us want to give gifts that somehow endure and keep
giving, keep buzzing the giftee with pleasures. But what happens when we proffer, say, a
tasty pinot noir? Giftee is gonna yank the cork and quaff the juice, right? The gift lasts long
enough to get through dinner, then — tink — the empty bottle drops into recycling. What’s
left?
Memories: If you’re thinking of showing some love to the wine-goof on your gift-list,
you probably already know that the beloved goof can recite ad nauseam every great bottle
she/he ever glugged—the when, the where, the menu, the weather, what socks they wore.
It’s a lesson I learned from Maestro Chris Tsefalas, owner of Portland’s great Perfume
House: Like the profound “memory perfumes,” designed to evoke exquisite recall, fine
wines touch those deep aroma-centered cortices and lock in narratives that sometimes
outlast the onset of senility — we might forget our kids’ names but still remember slurping
that ’61 Mouton-Rothschild.
The gift of wine will endure. Next nut: Which wine, of the 5,000 or more available? If
you know your goof or have been given their wish-list, problem solved, sorta. There’s still
the matter of budget; fact is, there’s almost no upper limit to the amount you could spend.
Of course, if you’re a hedge-fund billionaire and price is no object, drop six large on the
’82 Petrus and get the free wrapping. If you’re a normal person, shake your piggy bank
and set your limits.
As for selection, ask, confer, consult with experts. That’s what we did, went to wine
shops and such and asked, “If you were going to give a wine that would make a memory,
which would you choose?” Answers follow, with prices:
Larry Malmgren, widely respected in wine-world and certified pinot-head, chose Foris
2009 Pinot Noir, a sale bargain at $14, largely because pinot-philes rarely expect good
pinot-juice from the Illinois Valley. Larry says the Foris has “lots of body and wonderful
fruit finish.”
Gavin McComas, owner of Sundance Cellars, Oregon’s
gon s
largest wine shoppe, selects Italian, Travaglini 2006
Gattinara ($29), “just oozing personality” or Spanish white,
1996 Lopez de Heredia Vina Cordonia ($43), “just
distinctive” with “sherry-like qualities.”
Steve Baker, owner of Authentica Wines in the Smeed,
meed,
lovingly caresses a cherished bottle of Clerico 1988 Barolo
arolo
Ginestra, rare and wonderful ($105, actually a bargain),
gain),
“Just incredible nose,” Baker says. “Barolo is one of those
wines I can linger over.”
Ryan Stotz, ever-effervescent manager of Marché
arché
Provisions, fires back his response: “Champagne. Good
Champagne, without a doubt.” His fave, Vouette et Sorbée
orbée
Fidele ($68). Clarke Schatz, deeply experienced wine-rep
-rep
adds, “Dom [Perignon] and Krug.”
Champagne, good Champagne also gets the nod from
m
Angus James at Oakway’s Broadway, “because that’s s
my thing. It’s extremely versatile, goes with all foods.
It changes people’s minds.” Angus likes Vilmart et
Cie Brut ($100). Erica, Angus’s assistant, chimes,
“Bubbles are always memory-makers.”
Jennifer Hilliard knows wines. She’s partnered
with Ray Walsh (Capitello Wines) and manager of
Ox and Fin (formerly Sfizio). She sizzles with
views: “Anything from Stoller Vineyards … Wines
from Temperance Hill vineyard ... Evesham Wood
… very memory-evoking … New Zealand
sauvignon blanc ... the memory of those grassy
hills, the sea breeze. It drives away the winter
blues.”
Craig and Morgan Broadley, father/son combo
at Broadley Vineyards, agree: “The 2010 Claudia’s.”
They refer to their own Broadley Vineyards 2010
Pinot Noir Claudia’s Choice ($50), superb wine,
one of Oregon’s best, by consensus.
These are just a few opinions, of course, and
tastes vary. Shop around. Taste (often free or at
nominal cost) to find your own preferences. Too,
chances are the giftee might share the gift.
Hanukkah/ Kwanzaa/ Christmas/ Solstice,
whatever term you give for this happy season, we
wish you the best. May your memories linger long
after your corks are pulled. ■